DBE Launches Urgent Review to Fix Stipend Delays in Basic Education Employment Initiative

Johannesburg – The Department of Basic Education has started a full review of the internal systems managing its employment initiative after admin problems and checks caused delays in September stipend payments. Thousands of young people in the education assistants programme felt the pinch from these hold-ups, which officials linked to issues with confirming attendance records and handling payments via partners. Minister Siviwe Gwarube said the review, done with key groups, aims to boost oversight and make sure the programme has enough resources, good supervision, and a solid payment setup. She added that this step is part of a bigger push to steady the payment process and stop similar issues down the line.

“The department, together with our partners, we are reviewing the programme’s internal governance to ensure that it is adequately resourced, properly supervised, and supported by a reliable system. Going forward, the DBEEI programme will be a standing item in all our high-level meetings to ensure that there’s time and reminder that is sent to all schools to remind them to upload their attendance registers on time.”

This move comes after widespread complaints from participants who went without their money, highlighting gaps in how the initiative runs. The programme, meant to give jobs to young people in schools, has been a lifeline for many, but these glitches have shown the need for better handling to keep it going strong.

The Impact of Stipend Delays on Participants

The delays hit hard on around 200,000 education assistants and general school assistants across the country, leaving them without their monthly stipends for weeks. These young workers, placed in schools to help with teaching and admin tasks, rely on the R4,000 payments to cover basics like food, travel, and family support. Without the money, many struggled to get to work or meet daily needs, leading to stress and hardship.

In some provinces like Gauteng, the hold-ups sparked anger, with calls for quick fixes. Officials noted that the problems came from late or missing attendance registers from schools, which are needed to confirm who worked and deserves pay. This step is key to avoid fraud, but when it drags on, it hurts those depending on the funds. The initiative, part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus, aims to create jobs for unemployed youth while boosting school support, but these payment snags have tested its success.

For many participants, aged 18 to 35, the programme offers a first taste of work experience in education. It covers roles like classroom helpers, admin aides, and general workers, helping ease teacher loads in overcrowded schools. But when stipends are late, it can lead to dropouts or lower morale, undermining the goal of building skills and cutting youth joblessness, which sits at over 45% in South Africa.

Root Causes: Admin Hurdles and Compliance Demands

The setbacks stem from challenges in verifying attendance and processing payments through implementing partners, like provincial education departments and service providers. The department must follow strict rules under the Public Finance Management Act to ensure funds are used right and avoid misuse. This means thorough checks before money goes out, but when registers are not uploaded on time or partners face glitches, delays happen.

In recent months, similar issues popped up, with some assistants waiting since August for payments. The verification process, meant to confirm hours worked, relies on schools submitting data promptly, but not all do. This has led to backlogs, with some provinces hit harder than others. The department has admitted that while most payments for general assistants went through, teacher assistants funded differently faced the brunt of the delays.

To tackle this, the review will look at the whole setup, from how data is collected to how funds flow. Partners like the Department of Employment and Labour are involved to strengthen the system and make it more reliable. The goal is to cut red tape without skipping important checks, ensuring money reaches beneficiaries fast and fairly.

Steps Taken to Resolve Current Delays

The government has moved quickly to sort out the September payments, with most now processed and in bank accounts. In a joint update with the Department of Employment and Labour, officials confirmed that the glitches have been fixed, and outstanding stipends are being paid out. This came after urgent meetings and extra resources to speed up verifications.

Minister Gwarube has assured that all affected will get their money soon, with back payments included where needed. The department has also set up help lines and support at provincial offices for those still waiting. This quick action has eased some worries, but the review shows a commitment to long-term fixes rather than just patching up problems.

Going forward, the programme will be a key topic in top-level meetings, with reminders sent to schools to upload registers on time. This proactive step aims to prevent delays by keeping everyone accountable and on track.

Broader Efforts for Youth Empowerment

The Basic Education Employment Initiative is part of a larger push to create jobs and build skills for young people. Launched in 2020 as part of the presidential stimulus, it has placed over 800,000 assistants in schools since then, helping with learning recovery after COVID-19. The programme not only supports education but also gives participants hands-on experience, boosting their chances for future work.

However, ongoing issues like payment delays highlight the need for better governance. The review will check if the initiative has enough staff, tech, and oversight to run smoothly. By partnering with stakeholders, the department hopes to make it a model for other youth programmes, ensuring they deliver on promises without hitches.

In the Eastern Cape and other provinces, similar delays have affected workers, but the national focus now aims to standardise processes. With unemployment a big challenge, fixing these glitches is key to keeping trust in government efforts to empower the youth.

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